The Houston Chronicle's Bernardo Fallas says there are lessons to be learned from the Dynamo's 6-1 hammering by Gamba Osaka in the Pan-Pacific Championship final. Coach Dominic Kinnear, who's not used to being beaten so comprehensively, reflected on the blowout loss. "The defeat opened our eyes," he said. "I don't think a lot of guys on the team have ever been beaten that badly before. It's an eye opener as to how we need to learn rapidly."

The Dynamo played some great attacking soccer in the semifinal against Sydney FC, a match it won handily, 3-0. Against Osaka, the team started both halves reasonably well, and looked set to level the score at 2-2 early in the second, before holes opened up in the team's backline. Brazilian striker Bare was given far too much time and space in critical areas, and he ended up with four goals on the night. While the absence of midfield talisman Dwayne De Rosario was noted, Kinnear admitted that, "defensively, we made way too many mistakes."